[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12764]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        THE LONE STAR BATTALION

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 1, 2011

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when called upon by their country to 
go into service, Texans have always been up to the challenge. And, in 
fact, today, serving somewhere in the world, one out of 10 people 
wearing the American uniform is from the state of Texas.
  Texans are always on the front lines in the defense of freedom. It 
goes all the way back to 1836 when the first Texas veteran found 
himself at a beat-up old Spanish church in Central Texas that we now 
call the Alamo. The Alamo was more than 100 years old at the time that 
he and 186 other brave Texans defended freedom. The defenders of the 
Alamo were determined to seek liberty for the Republic of Texas. These 
veterans just like all of those who have followed risked their lives in 
the name of freedom.
  To be a member of the United States military is a gift, a sacrifice 
and it is an honor. Every day our warriors risk their lives, and today 
I would like to commend a special infantry battalion close to the heart 
of many Texans.
  The 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, or 1/23, also known as ``The 
Lone Star Battalion,'' is a home-grown group of soldiers headquartered 
in Houston, containing approximately 800 Marines and Navy/Corpsmen. The 
Lone Star Battalion has played a most significant and important part of 
history. I am proud to recognize and honor the service of the men and 
women of the 1/23 Marines.
  The history of this unit is one of many great successes. Activated in 
1942 in North Carolina, they were sent to the Pacific to aid in the 
United States' ``island-hopping'' campaign against Japan during World 
War II. They participated in many battles during this time including 
Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.
  Post-World War II, the battalion was activated once again, this time 
out of Houston on July 1, 1962. After the 9/11 attacks, it was 
mobilized for the first time since World War II in support of Operation 
Desert Storm.
  Because of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq, the battalion continued to 
support the global war on terrorism by participating in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom. It is currently deployed in Afghanistan supporting Operation 
Enduring Freedom.
  Ronald Reagan said this about the United States Marines: ``Some 
people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a 
difference in the world, but the Marines, they don't have that 
problem.''
  Recently, the Lone Star Battalion worked with coalition and the 
Afghan National Army troops to build a school in the small village of 
Abad, Afghanistan. Not only is this the first school the village has 
ever seen, the civilian enrollment is projected to be around 50 
students come the start of the school year.
  This is a critical development considering the literacy rate of the 
total population in Afghanistan is 28.1 percent.
  Acknowledging that it was imperative for the ANA to establish trust 
and accountability for the civilians they defend, the Marines were 
eager to let the ANA take the lead role in the construction process of 
the school. It seems as though not only are these exceptional Marines 
training the ANA and performing their respective duties, but they are 
also aiding in forging a bond between a young, willing military and a 
civilian people in need of a sense of security.
  The sons of liberty and daughters of democracy throughout America, 
and especially Texas, continue to join the military. They understand 
that our nation is at war, yet they choose to charge headlong into 
battle. There are not many of us who would be willing to volunteer to 
leap into the lion's den of Afghanistan where the cowardly enemy hides 
in caves.
  There have been two warriors killed from the Lone Star Battalion this 
year in Afghanistan: SSgt. Jeremy Smith and Navy Corpsman Benjamin 
Rast. We shall always remember Smith and Rast and the lives they gave 
for our freedom.
  It has been said that wars may be fought by weapons, but they are won 
by warriors. It is America's warriors who pay the price for our 
freedom.
  With the recent demise of the most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden, 
the Lone Star Battalion has rejoiced knowing that the Al Qaeda leader 
is dead but remains humble knowing the fight for freedom is not yet 
won. I am truly honored to represent many of these fine Marines in 
Congress and proud to know that there are so many Texans abroad aiding 
in the security, development and protection of the Afghan and American 
interests.
  I sincerely thank each person who has served our country yesterday, 
today and tomorrow. Without your service we would not be the greatest 
country the world has ever known.
  And that's just the way it is.

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